I Can Finally Change My Signature Pic: 2-Year Growth Update

virtuenow

Well-Known Member
Hello Ladies, my two-year growth update is overdue (4b/c) :spank:. I have consistently been on the Komaza plan regimen for 2-years! See this thread for my background & previous updates: http://www.longhaircareforum.com/showthread.php?t=675865

So when you read that thread, know my routine has not changed. AO Gpb and castor oil rinses are my babies :lick:. After much contemplation, I incorporated finger detangling last September. It was the final thing that helped me to break through my growth plateau (always stuck at SL-APL but thin/broken). I have not seen a comb since then. I know I said I would do a finger detangle thread, but first I had to see if it would work! Now I can safely say yes, it works, and its doable. Three years ago (2010-2011) my hair was oddly thin and broken down to about an inch in the crown. Regular heat usage, combs, and lack of protein were the culprits. So happy to finally replace my signature.

The signature pic is from 2009. My hair got there by accident (after a long stint w/microbraids), and broke off right after the pic b/c I didn't know how to take care of it. I rejected alot of advice and techniques on Lhcf (like co-wash, lo-poo, protective styling), which was a mistake, but I have definitely learned from it.

Quick regimen: Now I DC on dry hair/water spritzed hair w/ AO gpb, finger detangle while its soaked in DC, lo-poo my roots w/diluted shampoo in an applicator bottle, and finish everything off w/an oil rinse w/castor oil. I slather on my leave in (Komaza Shea Butter Lotion), seal w/Komaza Jojoba Hemp butter then style. I also DC w/Komaza Protein Strengthener once per month or so.

I am now retiring the side-ways signature pic, whew, its been a long time coming. Please excuse the bum pic, I'll try and crop or something when I figure out how. But I wanted to show you all my FIRST OFFICIAL LENGTH CHECK. I have never been able to reach my hair to pull it down b/c of the shrinkage! Now its long enough.
 

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Smiley79

Well-Known Member
Re: I Can Finally Change My Signature: 2-Year Update

Your hair looks so full and beautiful! Great job.
 

naturalmanenyc

Well-Known Member
Re: I Can Finally Change My Signature: 2-Year Update

Congratulations!!! I love your hair, thick and luscious.

I'm certain you turned me on to Komaza products. The protein treatment made my holy grail list along with AOGPB....my only two HG products.

Finger detanlging does seem to make a huge difference. Kimmaytube did a video about this years ago but I still use combs and my denman. If I don't hit BSL for 2015 I am switching to finger detangling as well.

Great job!
 

virtuenow

Well-Known Member
Re: I Can Finally Change My Signature: 2-Year Update

Congratulations!!! I love your hair, thick and luscious.

I'm certain you turned me on to Komaza products. The protein treatment made my holy grail list along with AOGPB....my only two HG products.

Finger detanlging does seem to make a huge difference. Kimmaytube did a video about this years ago but I still use combs and my denman. If I don't hit BSL for 2015 I am switching to finger detangling as well.

Great job!

@naturalmanenyc Thanks, girl! That's what I said, if I don't get past full APL in one-year, then I'm switching to fingers. I didn't hit my mark so I switched. I was nervous :yep:, and it took a lot of practice--- I mean it took me months to get it down. When I FINALLY got it, it was worth it :yep:. I also use the Komaza Protein once a month, better go add that upthread!

ETA: one more thing, after 1-year, I also noticed my hair wasn't nearby as thick as it should be. I finally discovered combs were thinning my hair out!
 
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nrock

Well-Known Member
Re: I Can Finally Change My Signature: 2-Year Update

That's ALOT of hair..........................NICE!
 

southerncitygirl

Well-Known Member
Re: I Can Finally Change My Signature: 2-Year Update

Just beautiful virtuenow I have been trying to tell folks about her protein strengthner for years, its truly amazing! Less is so much more, my reggie is super simple as well. Glad finger combing is working for you as well.
 

ezina

Well-Known Member
Re: I Can Finally Change My Signature: 2-Year Update

Beautiful!! That's the thickness I desire!
 

almond eyes

Well-Known Member
Re: I Can Finally Change My Signature: 2-Year Update

I followed you from when you got an analysis from Komaza. I was wondering about your hair progress since then. Congrats, you have a lovely head of thick hair and so much of it. I also recently decided to give Komaza products a try due to your posts and I must say that they have worked for me so far. I was also ignorant about the use of protein to strengthen hair and repair holes and bring moisture, but now I do my protein treatments more often (but without heat/plastic cap and hair scarf). Thanks so much for sharing your progress it really helps the rest of us.

I also finger detangle before I get into the shower.

Best,
Almond Eyes
 
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almond eyes

Well-Known Member
Re: I Can Finally Change My Signature: 2-Year Update

@naturalmanenyc Thanks, girl! That's what I said, if I don't get past full APL in one-year, then I'm switching to fingers. I didn't hit my mark so I switched. I was nervous :yep:, and it took a lot of practice--- I mean it took me months to get it down. When I FINALLY got it, it was worth it :yep:. I also use the Komaza Protein once a month, better go add that upthread!

ETA: one more thing, after 1-year, I also noticed my hair wasn't nearby as thick as it should be. I finally discovered combs were thinning my hair out!

Kindly, I had a question for you, were you using combs on your hair when it was dry or to detangle in the shower? And were you using a seamless comb? What is your finger detangling technique? I also have one too and I am able to unloosen those fairy knots that I used to just pry open and snap apart. Now I just use light friction to unravel the knots and some of the surrounding hairs until the knot unravels.

Best,
Almond Eyes
 

flyygirlll2

Lioness mane
Beautiful thick hair! I love Komaza products and I have the AOGP but haven't used it yet. I remember reading about your analysis and I'm glad that your hair has been thriving.

Sent from my iPhone using LHCF please excuse typos
 

ronie

Well-Known Member
I remember your disappointment after your Komaza report. I am so happy for your come back. Your hair is so gorgeous. How did you achieve the look in that picture?
virtuenow
 

sylver2

Well-Known Member
Re: I Can Finally Change My Signature: 2-Year Update

beautiful! i just switched to using the komanza protein. do u have pics of your hair when it was broken off?
 

mssoconfused

Well-Known Member
Hello Ladies, my two-year growth update is overdue (4b/c) :spank:. I have consistently been on the Komaza plan regimen for 2-years! See this thread for my background & previous updates: http://www.longhaircareforum.com/showthread.php?t=675865

So when you read that thread, know my routine has not changed. AO Gpb and castor oil rinses are my babies :lick:. After much contemplation, I incorporated finger detangling last September. It was the final thing that helped me to break through my growth plateau (always stuck at SL-APL but thin/broken). I have not seen a comb since then. I know I said I would do a finger detangle thread, but first I had to see if it would work! Now I can safely say yes, it works, and its doable. Three years ago (2010-2011) my hair was oddly thin and broken down to about an inch in the crown. Regular heat usage, combs, and lack of protein were the culprits. So happy to finally replace my signature.

The signature pic is from 2009. My hair got there by accident (after a long stint w/microbraids), and broke off right after the pic b/c I didn't know how to take care of it. I rejected alot of advice and techniques on Lhcf (like co-wash, lo-poo, protective styling), which was a mistake, but I have definitely learned from it.

Quick regimen: Now I DC on dry hair/water spritzed hair w/ AO gpb, finger detangle while its soaked in DC, lo-poo my roots w/diluted shampoo in an applicator bottle, and finish everything off w/an oil rinse w/castor oil. I slather on my leave in (Komaza Shea Butter Lotion), seal w/Komaza Jojoba Hemp butter then style. I also DC w/Komaza Protein Strengthener once per month or so.

I am now retiring the side-ways signature pic, whew, its been a long time coming. Please excuse the bum pic, I'll try and crop or something when I figure out how. But I wanted to show you all my FIRST OFFICIAL LENGTH CHECK. I have never been able to reach my hair to pull it down b/c of the shrinkage! Now its long enough.


GOSH YOU HAIR IS GORGEOUS!!! GEEZ!
 

virtuenow

Well-Known Member
Re: I Can Finally Change My Signature: 2-Year Update

I remember your disappointment after your Komaza report. I am so happy for your come back. Your hair is so gorgeous. How did you achieve the look in that picture?
@virtuenow

ronie Thank you sis! I started w/a tension blow dry (Conair 1875), using Aphogee Green Tea Keratin protectant, and wore twist out. Then the next day I did a low/med heat flat iron w/my new FHI Platform at 350 degrees. I flat ironed big chunky sections (basically each twist leg). It took about 20min. I got the idea from LovelyNaps26 video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j_aBHRSfE_4 . I like to keep texture and thickness w/my flat iron jobs. I also had body, movement and the heaviness I like.
 
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virtuenow

Well-Known Member
Re: I Can Finally Change My Signature: 2-Year Update

beautiful! i just switched to using the komanza protein. do u have pics of your hair when it was broken off?

sylver2 Oh gee, this is hard to share. But it does tell the whole story, and hopefully will help someone...So, here goes: The first pic is when I came to the realization my hair was see through, thin and wispy. I couldn't even get it to hang to do length check. The 2nd & 3rd pic is when I really got into my head and began to examine just why it was so thin in the back. I discovered my WHOLE crown had broken off. It wasn't bald patches like the picture looks like that b/c of the flash; but it was only about 1/2 an inch of hair there. And it stayed like that for a full year. The last pics are how I styled it during that time to disguise the extreme thinness. I washed/weak cond', ACV'd, shea buttered, blowdried and twisted it up faithfully; giving it noooo moisture...so it continued to break! I could cry looking at these pics!
 

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MissMusic

Well-Known Member
Oh wow! I remember your original Komaza post! U turned many of us on to Komaza. I'm so glad your hair has flourished. You put in the work, Congrats!
 
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